Garment-press and steaming mechanism



D. H. BENJAMIN AND G. N. LINK.

GARMENT PRESS AND STEAMING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5,1918- RENEWED MAR. 19.1921.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- INVENTQRS AJYDR/VEYS.

D. H. BENJAMIN AND G.

RENEWED MARv I9.19?!.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- D. H. BENJAMIN AND (a. N. LINK.

GARMENT PRESS AND STEAMING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5 NHL RENEWED MAR. I9. I92I.

1,392,289. Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

. III I II I I I I I I II UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NA'II, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GARMENT-PRESS AND STEAMING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

Application filed July 5, 1918, Serial No. 243,393. Renewed March 19, 1921. Serial'No. 453,705.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DANA H. BENJAMIN and GEORGE N. LINK, citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland Heights and Cincinnati, respectively, inthe counties of Cuyahoga'and Hamilton, respectively, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Presses and Steaming Mechanism, of which the following is ,a specification;

This invention relates to presses and particularly to devices of this character used for pressing garments.

One form of prior press of this general type has been provided with an intermediate steaming member having a solid metal upper plate and a lower press cloth together with means for supplying the steam between thesetwo members to the press cloth. In this device no means was provided for taking care of the water of condensation in the steaming device and consequently there was danger of drops of water being projected onto the press cloth with the result of spotting the garment. In this former device the intermediate member was adapted to swing freely between the buck and the press head when they were in open position.

In the present invention the press comprises a buck and a head together with suit able supporting and operating mechanism, and is provided with an intermediate frame supported from the swinging press head support and having slight movement with respect thereto but which follows the major portion of the movement of the press head. This intermediate steaming mechanism is also provided with a steaming device having valve-controlled steam projecting parts which are heated by a eating chamber or casing which is kept filled with live steam by a circulation of steam through the same established by a feed and return. Mechanism is also provided in conjunction with the steaming device for preventing the discharge of steam when the press head is closed and insuring the supply of steam to the press cloth at the proper time.

The invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth in the following drawings, description and claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in elevation showing the general construction of the press and its operating mechanism; Fi 2 is a similar view with the press closed. Flg. 3 is a top plan view'of the head mechanism with the lower parts of the frame removed; Fig. 4 is a detailed view takeniin section upon the line indicated at 4 in Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrow with the upper and lower diaphragms of the intermediate member removed; Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the head mechanism and a portion of the buck partly in section and partly in elevation; Fig. 6 is a similar view with the parts shown in the positions which they occupy when the head is elevated; and Fig. 7 is a detailed view showin the stop for insuring the proper location of the intermediate steaming member when the press head is moving toward closed position.

In the drawings 1 represents a frame provided with transverse bars 2, 3 and 4 which hold the parts of the frame together and -which serve as supports for the operating mechanism. Secured to the flanges 5 of this frame is a buck support 6 upon which is mounted a suitable paddedbuck 7. Pivotally mounted upon the bar 2 is a swinging press head support 8 adapted to swing back and forth and to be held in its rearward position by suitable bumper 9 arranged in a bracketv 10 secured to the frame. Pivotally mounted in the upper end of this press head support is a press head lever 11 carrying a press head 12.

Pivotally connected to the bar 2 is a link 13 pivoted at its front end to a treadle bracket 14 carrying a treadle 15 and an upwardly extending arm 16 in turn pivotally connected to an upper link 17 atits forward end. This link 17 is connected at its rear end to a shaft 18 supported in the swinging press head support 8. The upper link 17 is pivoted to an arm 19 of a bell crank lever supported upon the bar 3.. Another arm 20 of this bell crank lever is connected to a pressure adjusting link 21 in turn pivoted to a shaft 22 arranged in the lower end of the press head lever 11. Suitable springs 23 connected to the frame at one end and to eyes 24 secured to the lever 11 tend to rock the lever in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1 opening the press. The additional spring 25 connected to the link 13 and to the frame tends to exert the same effort.

The steaming mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and particular reference will be made to these figures.

The shaft 11 is projected beyond the press head supporting member 8 on both sides and in each instance is provided with a swiveled steam connection and a description of one will sufiice for both.

Each swiveled steam connection comprises a casing 26 provided with a socket 27 loosely engaging the shaft and a steam chamber 28 communicating with a service pipe 29 which may be either the supply or the return as the case may be. The casing also includes an axially extending hollow tubular portion 30 surrounded by a tubular extension 31 forming an annular open-ended recess around the hollow tubular portion 30. Engaging the hollow tubular portion 30 is an intermediate steaming frame member 32 having a tubular extension 33 surrounding the hollow tubular portion 30 and fitting snugly about the same but free from movement with respect thereto. The inner end of the tubular extension 33 is provided with a nut 34 threaded thereon and adapted to be engaged bya suitable packing 35 arranged in the open-ended annular recess. A suitable gland ring 36 engages this packing and is forced thereagainst by a gland nut 37. Extending through the intermediate steaming frame member 32 is a press head steam pipe 38 having a flange 39 arranged recess formed by the intermediate steaming frame member and the end of the hollow tubular portion 30. A suitable gland ring structure 40 is provided about the pipe 38 to prevent leakage. The pipe is also provided with suitable openings 41 communicating with a chamber 42 in turn communicating with a conduit 43 which leads to the steaming device. As before stated there is one of these complete steam connections at each side of the machine and the two conduits 43 turn inward and communicate with a steamer casing 44 having a steam chamber 45 therein, the purpose of which is both to heat the casing and supply steam to the steamer, as will appear.

The steamer casing is provided on its front side with a longitudinal recess 46 covered by a steaming plate 47 in heat conducting relation with the casing 44 and running the length thereof and having orifices 49 therein which project steam toward the front of the machine. The casing 44 is narrow except at the center where it is provided with an upwardly extending portion 50 in communication with the chamber 45. Communicating with this extension 50 is a in a suitable steam valve 51 communicating with an opening 52 in a, plug 53. This opening communicates by a side opening 54 with a T shaped portion 55 forming a part of a pipe 56 extending backward under the valve and communicating with the recess 46 behind plate 47.

The valve 51 may be of any suitable construction but is of a type such that the depression of a stem 57 opens it and this stem is adapted to be engaged by a foot 58 forming a part of lever arm 59 projecting diagonally upward toward the front of the machine. This lever is pivoted to a bracket 60 secured to the valve and is provided with a rearwardly extending portion 61 adapted to receive a block 62 through which a threaded rod 63 passes. This rod 63 is provided with a stop nut 64 and check nut 65 outside of the arm 61 and on the opposite side is provided with an eye 66, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 6 and full lines in F ig. 3, pivotally connected to a stud 67 secured to the lever 11, as shown in Fig. 3. The lever arm 59 has an opening 68 between its free end and its pivotal point and this opening receives a rod 69 which is secured in a bracket 70 forming a part of the pivot, bracket 60. This rod is provided with two springs 71 and 72 arranged on opposite sides of the lever 59 the former being arranged between the lever and the fixed arm 70 and the latter between the lever and the stop nut 73 held in place by a check nut 74. The outer free end of this lever 59 is pivotally connected to a link rod 75 extending toward the front of the machine and there connected to a lever 76 forming a part of a rotating handle 77 pivotally mounted in handle brackets 78 Se cured to the press head lever 11.

In addition to the support formed by the conduits 43 the steaming casing is provided with rearwardly extending arms 79 engaging the shaft 11 and projecting rearwardly beyond the same and there provided with ears 80 which receive set screws 81. Each of these set screws is provided with a check nut 82 for holding it in place. These set screws engage suitable stops 83 rigidlv mounted upon the press head supporting member 8.

The steamer casing is further provided at its ends with forwardly projecting brackets 84 in which are secured the ends of a tubular frame 86 which extends forward at both ends and conforms to the peripheral configuration of the shown in Fig. 3.

Mounted upon the steaming casing and upon this tubular frame 86 is a flexible press cloth structure in the form of a bag or envelop and this envelop is made up of upper diaphragm 87 and a lower diaphragm 88. These diaphragms are secured together by suitable eyelets 89, except at the rear of the press head and buck as machine above and below the steamin cas-' "ng, where each diaphragm is provided with separate eyelets. These eyeletsjserve to receive" suitablelacings90 by means of which this envelop or bag structure may be secured in place. When secured in place, with the steaming casing included between the disphragms at the r'earQa .V shaped recess is formed thereinas showninFig. 6, to receive the steamdischarged from the orifices 49.

The diaphragms are preferably made up of wire'mesh with a fabric covering or in fact may be of fabric alone orof any; other i suitable material. 1

In order to limit the movement of the steamingdevice as a whole with respect to the press head the lever 11 isprovided with lugs 91 engaging the lugs92 carried by the steaming casing and. serving tolimit the downward movement of the steaming. device and frame to that illustrated in. Fig. 6, and

7 connected to'the service pipes 29 it is obvious the steaming that live steam will be supplied to the press head and tothe steaming casing 44:. When the press is open the steamin device with its frame and envelop are cl ownward, as shown in Fig. 6, by reason of the engagement of the lugs 92 carried by the steaming casing with the lugs 91 carried by the press head lever 11. The operator may then rotate the handle 77 in a counterclockwise direction, as shownin Figs. 5 and 6, opening valve so that steam is supplied to the enve 0p in a manner already described. This supply of steam may occur at any time until the head and steaming frame are brought down to such a position that the steaming device ceases its downward movement and the head continues its movement when this relative movement will cause such a manipulation of the support for the lever 59 as will cause the stop nut 64 to engage the rear end of the lever and rotate the handle back into or hold it in a position such that the valve is closed thereby cutting off the supply of steam on the final closing of the press. It is also obvious that steam can not be supplied to the envelop when the press is closed. When the, press is open the lugs 91 pick up the steaming casing, en- 1xieleip and frame and elevate them with the Having described our claim 1. In a press, a buck, a head, means for bringing the same into pressing position, and steaming mechanism comprising an envelop lying beneath the head and movable bo'dily with respect thereto, means for proinvention, we

. from the steaming prising a. steaming casin jecting. steam into said envelop, and controlling means therefor movable with said head.

2. In a press, a buck, a head, means for bringing the same into pressing position,

and steaming'mechanism comprising a casing movable with and having slight movement with respect to said head, means for supplying'steam to said casing, an envelop carried by said casing and adapted for engagement with the ironing surface of the head, and means for pro ectlng steam from said easing into said envelop.

3. Ina press, a buck, a head, means for bringing the same into pressing position,

and steaming mechanism comprising a steaming casing movable with and having slight movement with respect to said head, means for supplying steam to said casing, an envelop carried by said casing and adapted for engagement with the ironing surface of the head, and means in heat conducting relation with said casing for projecting steam from said easing into the envelop.

4:. In a press, a buck, a presser head, means for bringing the same into pressing position, and steaming mechanism therefor, comprising a steaming casing supported in proper position with respect to.

the head, means for supplying steam to said casing, a steam projecting device in heat conducting relation with said casing, means for supplying steam from said casing to said steam projecting device, means for controlling said supply, and a chambered envelop supported upon said casing the chamber thereof being adapted to receive steam device.

. 5. In a press, a buck, a presser head, means for bringing the same into pressing position and steaming mechanism therefor comprislng a steaming casing supported with respect to said head and having a steam channel on the outside thereof, a perforated plate extending from said channel, a conduit connecting said casing and said steamand means for securing said diaphragms to said frame.

6. In a press, a buck, a presser head, means for bringing the same into pressing position, and steaming mechanism therefor comsupported with respect to said head and having a steam channel on the outside thereof, a perforated plate extending across said channel, a conduit connecting said casing and said steam channel, means for controlling the passage of steam through the conduit, means for supplying steam to the casing, a ch ambered pressing envelop supported by said casing and consisting of a frame secured to the casing, upper and lower. foraminous diaphragms forming a chamber therebetween, eyelets extending through said foraminous diaphragms at their edges, and a lacing passing through said eyelets and around said frame for securing the envelop in the frame.

7. In a press, a buck, a presser head, means for bringing the same into pressing position, steaming mechanism comprising a steaming casing pivotally sup-ported with respect to the head, foraminous diaphragms supported with respect to the casing and forming a chambered envelop, means for supplying steam to the casing,'means for projecting steam from the casing into the chamber of the envelop, and means for limiting the movement of the envelop whereby it may move with the head and may have slight movement with respect thereto to permit the envelop to engage the garments on the buck before the head is in pressing position.

8. In a press, a buck, a presser head,means for bringing the same into pressing position, steaming mechanism comprising a steaming casing pivotally supported with respect to the head, foraminous diaphragms supported with respect tothe casing and forming a chambered envelop, means for supplying steam to the casing, means for projecting steam from the casing into the chamber of the envelop, and means for limiting the movement of the envelop whereby it may move with the head and may have slight movement with respect thereto to permit the envelop to engage the garments on the buck before the head is in pressing position,

said means comprising stop devices cooper- 'ating with said casing.

9. In a press, a buck, a prewer head support, a presser head lever mounted in said support, a presser head carried thereby, and 4 steaming mechanism comprising a casing pivotally mounted with respect to the presser head lever, a foraminous envelop carried by said casing, means for projecting steam from the casing into the envelop, 5 manually operable means for controlling the discharge of steam into the envelop, and means actuated by the steaming mechanism for controllin the manually operable steam supply controIling means and cutting offthe 5 supply of steam as the head approaches the envelo 10. n a press a buck, a presser head support, a presser head lever mounted in said support, a presser head carried thereby, and 6 steaming mechanism comp-rising a casing pivotally mounted with respect to the presser head lever, a foraminous envelop carried by said casing, means for projecting steam from the casing into the envelop, man- 6 ually operable means for cont-rolling the discharge of steam into the envelop, means actuated by the steaming mechanism for controlling the manually operable steam supply controlling means and preventing 7 the supply of steam as the head approaches the envelop, and a suitable stop carried by the presser head support and limitin the relative movement of the presser head and the steaming mechanism. 7 In testimony whereof we afiix our sign?- tures.

DANA H. BENJAMIN, GEORGE N. LINK, 

